Venafro was waived late in camp by Atlanta and Tampa Bay picked him up. After performing at a level just under to his career average, Tampa Bay sent him to Triple-A. It makes you wonder what the D-Rays were expecting. The Royals signed him in the offseason in hopes he can provide some steady relief innings, nothing more.

2003

Venafro can occasionally break off a nasty slider. Aside from that, he's your typical bullpen situational lefty, and that's the role he'll fill with the Devil Rays in 2003.